S-92 Helicopter Takes a Sustainable Cross Country Trip of 1,500 nm

This year's Heli-Expo 2022 has seen a number of sustainability efforts making their debut, like Sikorsky's S-92 flying in on a mixture of biofuel. 

The sustainable aviation fuel used was similar to the standard blend ratio used in previous GE testing. Their commercial biofuel demo flights have been working since 2008, with considerable headway being made in recent years as engineers have been able to titrate less and less petroleum feedstock into a functional blend - eventually reaching a 100% SAF flight in 2018. GE and GE Partnership engines throughout their portfolio can be flown on approved SAF.

The Sikorsky flight was flown more than 1,500 miles on its cross country jaunt, proving the aircraft's versatility in fueling itself in the years to come, as SAF gains availability throughout the airport network. The considerable ecological benefits and emissions reductions are a boon to environmentally conscious operators and a handy marketing tool all at once. Having a new-production aircraft that needs nothing to convert it to use a greener fuel is a blessing in a world of expensive retrofits and fancy technology. 

“As a Corporation, we are committed to sustainability and I am proud that our S-92 helicopter is  playing a role in a more sustainable future,” said Jason Lambert, Sikorsky’s vice president of  Global Commercial and Military Systems. “The aircraft is known for its unmatched advantages  and the use of biofuel is one more attribute on that list.” 

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com